Paul Wrock
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Paul Wrock

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When The Journey Becomes The Destination

written by paulwrock March 6, 2018

Hey Y’all,

For many of us, pursuing our calling can seem like an endless chase. We continuously work, without knowing if we will ever arrive, or what arriving would mean. Whether we have started a business, are trying to raise a family, or in my case write songs, the grind can seem endless. It’s not that we don’t enjoy our pursuit, after all, we choose to give our lives to these passions. It’s that we long for a destination that we have not yet reached. So how do we make sense of the situation? What should inspire us to keep going? Should we keep going?

The first thing is that the journey is, in fact, the destination. In his book Shoe Dog, Phil Knight the founder of Nike says the following about running ” When you run down an oval track, or down an empty road, you have no real destination. The act itself becomes the destination. It’s not that there’s no finish line; it’s that you define the finish line.” This is so important to remember. The end goal in music is to be a touring artist. To embark on a journey across the world, that hopefully doesn’t end. Once a person becomes a parent, they never cease to be one. For so many of us, our life’s goal leads us to a daily struggle, a routine, or path that doesn’t seem to end. It’s in the moments when we wonder if we’ll make it, that we must remember that we are making it. One step at a time.

The second thing is to struggle well on the journey. Journeys imply struggle. The stories we love to read about the most are the ones where heroes facing incredible challenges, and still found a way forward. The greater the struggle, the greater the journey. This is true not only in literature but in life as well. While we celebrate those who overcome their struggles, our struggles seem far less glorious. We so often long for the day when we won’t struggle anymore. However, this is not the correct view as Ray Dalio explains, in his book Principles “While I surpassed my wildest dreams decades ago, I am still struggling today. In time, I realized that the satisfaction of success doesn’t come from achieving your goals, but from struggling well.” The question we need to wrestle with is not “how do I avoid struggle on my journey?” but rather “how do I struggle well on my journey?” If we can figure out how to struggle well, we can live out our journey to it’s fullest potential.

The third thing to remember is that the journey gets better. There are higher highs that you have yet to experience. There are lower lows that will strengthen your resolve. There are new friends to make, and lessons you have yet to learn. One of the quotes that became a banner for me as I moved to Nashville comes from C.S. Lewis “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” That was the last thing I read in my driveway in Atlanta. That was the first thing I posted on Instagram. That was what got me to leave the Peach State and start my journey in Music City. Whatever journey you’re on, I promise it will get better. Ultimately, it will make you better, and that makes the journey worth it.

Remember, your journey is your destination, learn to struggle well, and the journey will get better. We’re all on a journey. Travel yours well, and help others along the way.

I hope this resonates with you in some way. What have you learned about your own journey? What principles have guided you? What advice would you share? Let me know in the comments section.

Paul

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Paul Wrock

Artist. Speaker. Writer.

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    Paul Wrock

    About ME

    Hey Y’all,

    My name is Paul, and thank you for checking out my website. I believe we all have a story worth telling, and this website represents my attempt to empower people to engage with the narratives they want to tell, in a powerful way.
    I hope we ultimately get to know each other from the songs writes, blogs I post, and the conversations we have, but here is a little bit about me. I am 27 years old, I live in Nashville, TN, and I love the power that music and stories hold in shaping how we live and think. I spent 10 years working in politics, I then we to work in the Christian non-profit world, and now I write music in Nashville. More than ever, I believe this world needs songs that express meaning, truth, and hope.
    God has put each of us here to change the world. I believe that we tend to experience the world with a soundtrack, and I want to write songs that help contextualize life and all the emotions that come with it. Country Music is an inherently relatable genre and gives us all the opportunity to discuss every conceivable experience in an honest way.
    I believe we all share many of the same experiences, and because of that as I tell my story in songs, I hope you find your story as well. The best songs are the ones where you feel understood, known, and you know you’re not the only person who has experienced how you feel. Our shared beliefs, passions, and desires lead to us having a shared story. That is what I hope to express in my music. This website will be a place for you to engage with my songs, and hopefully, a place for you to engage with something that relates to you as well.
    The next component will be content that will either be used for speaking or writing. In this case, I will be writing blog posts that offer my thoughts one different a variety of subjects from faith to current events. I hope that my unique perspective offers you not only insight into how a songwriter interprets life, but also the chance to wrestle with these ideas and contribute your thoughts as well.
    Finally, I would love for this website to be a place for us to connect and me to be able to help you find a way to help you tell you or your organization’s story. From messaging to building online platforms, I believe you have a story worth telling, and I would love to help you tell it. Whether you’re the president of a company looking to engage your customers or an artist looking to build a fanbase, I would love to talk have a conversation with you about who you are, why you’re here, and how I can help you achieve your dreams.
    Thanks again for reading this. I can’t wait to get to know you more. Sign up for my weekly newsletter, find me on social media, message me on Facebook, Instagram, or email me here, and let’s be friends.

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